Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Harrington, III

Thomas E. Harrington, III has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10134890
    Abstract: A vertical power switching device, such as a vertical superjunction metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistor (MOSFET), in which termination structures in the corners of the integrated circuit are stretched to efficiently shape the lateral electric field. Termination structures in the device include such features as doped regions, field plates, insulator films, and high-voltage conductive regions and elements at the applied substrate voltage. Edges of these termination structures are shaped and placed according to a 2nd-order smooth, non-circular analytic function so as to extend deeper into the die corner from the core region of the device than a constant-distance path. Also disclosed are electrically floating guard rings in the termination region, to inhibit triggering of parasitic p-n-p-n structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harrington, III, John V. Spohnheimer, Zhijun Qu
  • Publication number: 20180277673
    Abstract: A vertical power switching device, such as a vertical superjunction metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistor (MOSFET), in which termination structures in the corners of the integrated circuit are stretched to efficiently shape the lateral electric field. Termination structures in the device include such features as doped regions, field plates, insulator films, and high-voltage conductive regions and elements at the applied substrate voltage. Edges of these termination structures are shaped and placed according to a 2nd-order smooth, non-circular analytic function so as to extend deeper into the die corner from the core region of the device than a constant-distance path. Also disclosed are electrically floating guard rings in the termination region, to inhibit triggering of parasitic p-n-p-n structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harrington, III, John V. Spohnheimer, Zhijun Qu
  • Publication number: 20180261691
    Abstract: Methods and designs are provided for a vertical power semiconductor switch having an IGBT-with-built-in-diode bottom-side structure combined with a SJMOS topside structure in such a way as to provide fast switching with low switching losses (MOSFET), low on-resistance at low currents (SJMOS), low on-resistance at high currents (IGBT), and high current-density capability (IGBT).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harrington, III, Zhijun Qu
  • Patent number: 10074735
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a vertical power device, such as a superjunction MOSFET, an IGBT, a diode, and the like, and a surface device that comprises one or more lateral devices that are electrically active along a top surface of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harrington, III, Zhijun Qu
  • Publication number: 20180174968
    Abstract: A vertical drift metal-oxide-semiconductor (VDMOS) transistor with improved contact to source and body regions, and a method of fabricating the same. A masked ion implant of the source regions into opposite-type body regions defines the locations of body contact regions, which are implanted subsequently with a blanket implant. The surface of the source regions and body contact regions are silicide clad, and an overlying insulator layer deposited and planarized. Contact openings are formed through the planarized insulator layer, within which conductive plugs are formed to contact the metal silicide, and thus the source and body regions of the device. A metal conductor is formed overall to the desired thickness, and contacts the conductive plugs to provide bias to the source and body regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas E. Harrington, III
  • Patent number: 9997455
    Abstract: Improvement of key electrical specifications of vertical semiconductor devices, usually found in the class of devices known as discrete semiconductors, has a direct impact on the performance achievement and power efficiency of the systems in which these devices are used. Imprecise vertical device specifications cause system builders to either screen incoming devices for their required specification targets or to design their system with lower performance or lower efficiency than desired. Disclosed is an architecture and method for achieving a desired target specification for a vertical semiconductor device. Precise trimming of threshold voltage improves targeting of both on-resistance and switching time. Precise trimming of gate resistance also improves targeting of switching time. Precise trimming of a device's effective width improves targeting of both on-resistance and current-carrying capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventor: Thomas E. Harrington, III
  • Publication number: 20180012981
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a vertical power device, such as a superjunction MOSFET, an IGBT, a diode, and the like, and a surface device that comprises one or more lateral devices that are electrically active along a top surface of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harrington, III, Zhijun Qu
  • Patent number: 9865727
    Abstract: A semiconductor field-effect device is disclosed that utilizes an octagonal or inverse-octagonal deep trench super-junction in combination with an octagonal or inverse-octagonal gate trench. The field-effect device achieves improved packing density, improved current density, and improved on resistance, while at the same time maintaining compatibility with the multiple-of-45°-angles of native photomask processing and having well characterized (010), (100) and (110) (and their equivalent) silicon sidewall surfaces for selective epitaxial refill and gate oxidation, resulting in improved scalability. By varying the relative length of each sidewall surface, devices with differing threshold voltages can be achieved without additional processing steps. Mixing trenches with varying sidewall lengths also allows for stress balancing during selective epitaxial refill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harrington, III, Robert Kuo-Chang Yang
  • Patent number: 9837358
    Abstract: A vertical drift metal-oxide-semiconductor (VDMOS) transistor with improved contact to source and body regions, and a method of fabricating the same. A masked ion implant of the source regions into opposite-type body regions defines the locations of body contact regions, which are implanted subsequently with a blanket implant. The surface of the source regions and body contact regions are silicide clad, and an overlying insulator layer deposited and planarized. Contact openings are formed through the planarized insulator layer, within which conductive plugs are formed to contact the metal silicide, and thus the source and body regions of the device. A metal conductor is formed overall to the desired thickness, and contacts the conductive plugs to provide bias to the source and body regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventor: Thomas E. Harrington, III
  • Patent number: 9806186
    Abstract: A vertical power switching device, such as a vertical superjunction metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistor (MOSFET), in which termination structures in the corners of the integrated circuit are stretched to efficiently shape the lateral electric field. Termination structures in the device include such features as doped regions, field plates, insulator films, and high-voltage conductive regions and elements at the applied substrate voltage. Edges of these termination structures are shaped and placed according to a 2nd-order smooth, non-circular analytic function so as to extend deeper into the die corner from the core region of the device than a constant-distance path. Also disclosed are electrically floating guard rings in the termination region, to inhibit triggering of parasitic p-n-p-n structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harrington, III, John V. Spohnheimer, Zhijun Qu
  • Patent number: 9755058
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a vertical power device, such as a superjunction MOSFET, an IGBT, a diode, and the like, and a surface device that comprises one or more lateral devices that are electrically active along a top surface of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harrington, III, Zhijun Qu
  • Publication number: 20170179024
    Abstract: Improvement of key electrical specifications of vertical semiconductor devices, usually found in the class of devices known as discrete semiconductors, has a direct impact on the performance achievement and power efficiency of the systems in which these devices are used. Imprecise vertical device specifications cause system builders to either screen incoming devices for their required specification targets or to design their system with lower performance or lower efficiency than desired. Disclosed is an architecture and method for achieving a desired target specification for a vertical semiconductor device. Precise trimming of threshold voltage improves targeting of both on-resistance and switching time. Precise trimming of gate resistance also improves targeting of switching time. Precise trimming of a device's effective width improves targeting of both on-resistance and current-carrying capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventor: Thomas E. Harrington, III
  • Publication number: 20170098705
    Abstract: A vertical power switching device, such as a vertical superjunction metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistor (MOSFET), in which termination structures in the corners of the integrated circuit are stretched to efficiently shape the lateral electric field. Termination structures in the device include such features as doped regions, field plates, insulator films, and high-voltage conductive regions and elements at the applied substrate voltage. Edges of these termination structures are shaped and placed according to a 2nd-order smooth, non-circular analytic function so as to extend deeper into the die corner from the core region of the device than a constant-distance path. Also disclosed are electrically floating guard rings in the termination region, to inhibit triggering of parasitic p-n-p-n structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harrington, III, John V. Spohnheimer, Zhijun Qu
  • Publication number: 20170098609
    Abstract: A vertical drift metal-oxide-semiconductor (VDMOS) transistor with improved contact to source and body regions, and a method of fabricating the same. A masked ion implant of the source regions into opposite-type body regions defines the locations of body contact regions, which are implanted subsequently with a blanket implant. The surface of the source regions and body contact regions are silicide clad, and an overlying insulator layer deposited and planarized. Contact openings are formed through the planarized insulator layer, within which conductive plugs are formed to contact the metal silicide, and thus the source and body regions of the device. A metal conductor is formed overall to the desired thickness, and contacts the conductive plugs to provide bias to the source and body regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventor: Thomas E. Harrington, III
  • Patent number: 9589889
    Abstract: Improvement of key electrical specifications of vertical semiconductor devices, usually found in the class of devices known as discrete semiconductors, has a direct impact on the performance achievement and power efficiency of the systems in which these devices are used. Imprecise vertical device specifications cause system builders to either screen incoming devices for their required specification targets or to design their system with lower performance or lower efficiency than desired. Disclosed is an architecture and method for achieving a desired target specification for a vertical semiconductor device. Precise trimming of threshold voltage improves targeting of both on-resistance and switching time. Precise trimming of gate resistance also improves targeting of switching time. Precise trimming of a device's effective width improves targeting of both on-resistance and current-carrying capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: D3 SEMICONDUCTOR LLC
    Inventor: Thomas E. Harrington, III
  • Publication number: 20170062606
    Abstract: A semiconductor field-effect device is disclosed that utilizes an octagonal or inverse-octagonal deep trench super-junction in combination with an octagonal or inverse-octagonal gate trench. The field-effect device achieves improved packing density, improved current density, and improved on resistance, while at the same time maintaining compatibility with the multiple-of-45°-angles of native photomask processing and having well characterized (010), (100) and (110) (and their equivalent) silicon sidewall surfaces for selective epitaxial refill and gate oxidation, resulting in improved scalability. By varying the relative length of each sidewall surface, devices with differing threshold voltages can be achieved without additional processing steps. Mixing trenches with varying sidewall lengths also allows for stress balancing during selective epitaxial refill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harrington, III, Robert Kuo-Chang Yang
  • Patent number: 9496386
    Abstract: A semiconductor field-effect device is disclosed that utilizes an octagonal or inverse-octagonal deep trench super-junction in combination with an octagonal or inverse-octagonal gate trench. The field-effect device achieves improved packing density, improved current density, and improved on resistance, while at the same time maintaining compatibility with the multiple-of-45°-angles of native photomask processing and having well characterized (010), (100) and (110) (and their equivalent) silicon sidewall surfaces for selective epitaxial refill and gate oxidation, resulting in improved scalability. By varying the relative length of each sidewall surface, devices with differing threshold voltages can be achieved without additional processing steps. Mixing trenches with varying sidewall lengths also allows for stress balancing during selective epitaxial refill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harrington, III, Robert Kuo-Chang Yang
  • Publication number: 20160254373
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a vertical power device, such as a superjunction MOSFET, an IGBT, a diode, and the like, and a surface device that comprises one or more lateral devices that are electrically active along a top surface of the semiconductor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harrington, III, Zhijun Qu
  • Publication number: 20150340318
    Abstract: Improvement of key electrical specifications of vertical semiconductor devices, usually found in the class of devices known as discrete semiconductors, has a direct impact on the performance achievement and power efficiency of the systems in which these devices are used. Imprecise vertical device specifications cause system builders to either screen incoming devices for their required specification targets or to design their system with lower performance or lower efficiency than desired. Disclosed is an architecture and method for achieving a desired target specification for a vertical semiconductor device. Precise trimming of threshold voltage improves targeting of both on-resistance and switching time. Precise trimming of gate resistance also improves targeting of switching time. Precise trimming of a device's effective width improves targeting of both on-resistance and current-carrying capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: D3 SEMICONDUCTOR LLC
    Inventor: Thomas E. Harrington, III
  • Publication number: 20150340454
    Abstract: A semiconductor field-effect device is disclosed that utilizes an octagonal or inverse-octagonal deep trench super-junction in combination with an octagonal or inverse-octagonal gate trench. The field-effect device achieves improved packing density, improved current density, and improved on resistance, while at the same time maintaining compatibility with the multiple-of-45°-angles of native photomask processing and having well characterized (010), (100) and (110) (and their equivalent) silicon sidewall surfaces for selective epitaxial refill and gate oxidation, resulting in improved scalability. By varying the relative length of each sidewall surface, devices with differing threshold voltages can be achieved without additional processing steps. Mixing trenches with varying sidewall lengths also allows for stress balancing during selective epitaxial refill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: D3 Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Harrington, III, Robert Kuo-Chang Yang